-All You Need to Know About the Painted Desert Sheep-
If not familiar with the breed, in my opinion, there is no other breed of sheep as striking and beautiful as the Painted Desert. There is so much variation in color and patterns. One thing that I find very interesting is when breeding these unique sheep you just never know what color your lambs may turn out to be. I've had colors pop up on my lambs that neither the ram or ewe have. Lambing season is a time of surprises. All the variation in color comes from the ancestry of the sheep.
Not only is the Painted Desert Sheep very pleasing to the eye, but they are also low maintenance as they have resistance to disease, heat, and cold. They do not require shearing, rather shed their short winter wool/hair for spring and summer. This trait comes from a breed of sheep that was part of the blend that created the Painted Desert Sheep called a Mouflon (a type of wild sheep) as well as black belly breeds and several others. The blend was first called "Corsican" sheep, which included all colors. The Mouflon heritage also contributed to the large horned trait of the Painted Desert rams. Rams have horns that come in different shapes and sizes. Some horns grow to be quite large in some cases, growing at about an inch a month. Hunters call those trophy-sized horns. Most ewes are hornless, but some may have small horns or scurs, which I have both with my main Ewes. Painted Desert Sheep come from only horned ancestry.
Painted Desert Sheep is a multi-purpose breed. You can start your flock to sell for breeding, a 4H project to show at county fairs, hunting ranges, persons looking for farm-raised lambs for mild-tasting meat (processing before their 11-12 months old). Ewes may range in weight from 80 to 140 pounds and have heights from 21″ to 25″ at the shoulders. Rams weigh from 150 to 250 pounds and maybe 30″ or more at the shoulders.
The rams will grow a luxuriant mane (another feature that makes them a favorite of trophy hunters) often beginning at the shoulders with a thick bib at the front of the neck.
Due to the Barbados influence in some of these sheep, the Painted Desert Sheep will have two lambing a year with intervals ranging from 6 1/2 to 8 months. Although the ewes will come in heat while lactating, and the ram will tend them, they often don't get pregnant until the lambs are taken off. These sheep, again due to Barbado's blood, have been known to deliver up to five lambs in one birth! They also breed out of season (any time of the year). Ewe lambs ideally should be bred at eight months of age, with no ill effects in fact research has indicated that when breed at eight months the ewes are shown to be more reproductive in their lifetime. Ram lambs reach sexual maturity early and have been known to breed as early as 4 months of age. For this reason, keeping juvenile rams in your flock will make determining the paternity of your lambs impossible. The Painted Desert Ewe has a strong mothering instinct. Even with multiple births, she seems to count heads if one should wander off and is not happy until they are all by her side. They have excellent milking ability, even with triplets. Some of these ewes have udders to rival dairy goat breeds. Thank you for looking and I hope this breed will be right for you and your farm or dinner table.
Not only is the Painted Desert Sheep very pleasing to the eye, but they are also low maintenance as they have resistance to disease, heat, and cold. They do not require shearing, rather shed their short winter wool/hair for spring and summer. This trait comes from a breed of sheep that was part of the blend that created the Painted Desert Sheep called a Mouflon (a type of wild sheep) as well as black belly breeds and several others. The blend was first called "Corsican" sheep, which included all colors. The Mouflon heritage also contributed to the large horned trait of the Painted Desert rams. Rams have horns that come in different shapes and sizes. Some horns grow to be quite large in some cases, growing at about an inch a month. Hunters call those trophy-sized horns. Most ewes are hornless, but some may have small horns or scurs, which I have both with my main Ewes. Painted Desert Sheep come from only horned ancestry.
Painted Desert Sheep is a multi-purpose breed. You can start your flock to sell for breeding, a 4H project to show at county fairs, hunting ranges, persons looking for farm-raised lambs for mild-tasting meat (processing before their 11-12 months old). Ewes may range in weight from 80 to 140 pounds and have heights from 21″ to 25″ at the shoulders. Rams weigh from 150 to 250 pounds and maybe 30″ or more at the shoulders.
The rams will grow a luxuriant mane (another feature that makes them a favorite of trophy hunters) often beginning at the shoulders with a thick bib at the front of the neck.
Due to the Barbados influence in some of these sheep, the Painted Desert Sheep will have two lambing a year with intervals ranging from 6 1/2 to 8 months. Although the ewes will come in heat while lactating, and the ram will tend them, they often don't get pregnant until the lambs are taken off. These sheep, again due to Barbado's blood, have been known to deliver up to five lambs in one birth! They also breed out of season (any time of the year). Ewe lambs ideally should be bred at eight months of age, with no ill effects in fact research has indicated that when breed at eight months the ewes are shown to be more reproductive in their lifetime. Ram lambs reach sexual maturity early and have been known to breed as early as 4 months of age. For this reason, keeping juvenile rams in your flock will make determining the paternity of your lambs impossible. The Painted Desert Ewe has a strong mothering instinct. Even with multiple births, she seems to count heads if one should wander off and is not happy until they are all by her side. They have excellent milking ability, even with triplets. Some of these ewes have udders to rival dairy goat breeds. Thank you for looking and I hope this breed will be right for you and your farm or dinner table.
-All You Need to Know About the Great Pyrenees Livestock Guardian Dog-
The Great Pyrenees likely came from mountain sheepdogs in Central Asia that date back some time ago. As evidenced by fossil remains, the Great Pyrenees was brought to the Pyrenees mountain range of southern France sometime between 1800 to 1000 BC. The breed was made as a guardian of sheep at the home by the Basque people of that region. During the 17th century, it was adopted by French royalty and nobles.
The Great Pyrenees was brought to the U.S. by General Lafayette in 1824. However, the breed was not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) until over 100 years later in 1933. It is known as the Pyrenean mountain dog in Europe and is still a keen worker to this day.
The Pyr has a long, thick outer coat that is primarily white and somewhat coarse, with a soft, woolly undercoat of white. This breed has a moderate to high shedding rate and requires routine grooming, especially a thorough brushing once or twice per week.
Special care should be taken to prevent exposure to very hot temperatures, as the breed can easily overheat. It isn't recommended that you trim or shave the dog's coat during hot weather as it protects the dog from the sun. They will tend to dig holes in the summertime to keep cool, so if you see a hole in your yard, don't be alarmed- it's normal. They do very well in cold weather. Pyrs have extra dewclaws on their rear limbs, which they use for climbing. You should trim your dog's nails to keep them from splitting. Also, since this breed likes to gently paw you to get your attention, trimming reduces the risk of scratches. Normal dogs lay on their back in a sign of submission to you, but Pyrs will shake your hand with their paw in their sign of submission.
Pyrs have a strong drive to work and protect. Although not working dogs, they need a fair amount of exercise on a daily basis. ( If you have these dogs roam around in your fenced in pasture, you won't have to worry about walks, they'll do it on their own) This breed "can" be walked on a leash but may tend to wander off independently when off-leash. They do best if they have access to a large, well-fenced yard in which to do some roaming and patrolling. We let our Pyrs roam around freely in our 36 fenced-in acre pasture. Pyrs will benefit from some type of job, such as guarding the home or protecting your livestock. In general, these are usually very calm, loyal, and loving companions!!!
They should spend plenty of time with the family or they can become bored and destructive. A physical fence is needed as their thick fur and a high tolerance for pain can lead them to ignore an electronic fence. Pyrs were bred to be intelligent but VERY independent watchdogs for flocks and training can be extremely difficult. (Honestly, if you want an obedient dog, don't get Pyrs) You need to understand that you cannot give up on these dogs. They will do a lot of things you don't want them to do as puppies, but should eventually grow out of bad habits when adults. (2 yrs old)
Socialization from a young age is important for this breed as they are naturally suspicious of any newcomer. They are world-class barkers with a keen sense of hearing. In the event of an intruder, they will alert you and the entire neighborhood, and this is especially true at night since they were bred to be nocturnal guards. This may make them less suitable for certain households.
This breed is devoted to its family's children and makes a loving family dog.
If considering getting this breed, I'm sure you won't be disappointed! I would have to say, this is one of the best livestock guardian breeds out there!!
The Great Pyrenees was brought to the U.S. by General Lafayette in 1824. However, the breed was not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) until over 100 years later in 1933. It is known as the Pyrenean mountain dog in Europe and is still a keen worker to this day.
The Pyr has a long, thick outer coat that is primarily white and somewhat coarse, with a soft, woolly undercoat of white. This breed has a moderate to high shedding rate and requires routine grooming, especially a thorough brushing once or twice per week.
Special care should be taken to prevent exposure to very hot temperatures, as the breed can easily overheat. It isn't recommended that you trim or shave the dog's coat during hot weather as it protects the dog from the sun. They will tend to dig holes in the summertime to keep cool, so if you see a hole in your yard, don't be alarmed- it's normal. They do very well in cold weather. Pyrs have extra dewclaws on their rear limbs, which they use for climbing. You should trim your dog's nails to keep them from splitting. Also, since this breed likes to gently paw you to get your attention, trimming reduces the risk of scratches. Normal dogs lay on their back in a sign of submission to you, but Pyrs will shake your hand with their paw in their sign of submission.
Pyrs have a strong drive to work and protect. Although not working dogs, they need a fair amount of exercise on a daily basis. ( If you have these dogs roam around in your fenced in pasture, you won't have to worry about walks, they'll do it on their own) This breed "can" be walked on a leash but may tend to wander off independently when off-leash. They do best if they have access to a large, well-fenced yard in which to do some roaming and patrolling. We let our Pyrs roam around freely in our 36 fenced-in acre pasture. Pyrs will benefit from some type of job, such as guarding the home or protecting your livestock. In general, these are usually very calm, loyal, and loving companions!!!
They should spend plenty of time with the family or they can become bored and destructive. A physical fence is needed as their thick fur and a high tolerance for pain can lead them to ignore an electronic fence. Pyrs were bred to be intelligent but VERY independent watchdogs for flocks and training can be extremely difficult. (Honestly, if you want an obedient dog, don't get Pyrs) You need to understand that you cannot give up on these dogs. They will do a lot of things you don't want them to do as puppies, but should eventually grow out of bad habits when adults. (2 yrs old)
Socialization from a young age is important for this breed as they are naturally suspicious of any newcomer. They are world-class barkers with a keen sense of hearing. In the event of an intruder, they will alert you and the entire neighborhood, and this is especially true at night since they were bred to be nocturnal guards. This may make them less suitable for certain households.
This breed is devoted to its family's children and makes a loving family dog.
If considering getting this breed, I'm sure you won't be disappointed! I would have to say, this is one of the best livestock guardian breeds out there!!